Hibernating animals survive the winter in a state of torpor. Their body temperature plummets; their heart and breathing rates are going to drop-down list and change their metabolism of glucose in the first place, burning fats. Then they live in reserves of fat, sometimes for many months.
       Can persuade such a state of torpor in humans also alter our metabolism from burning glucose to burning fat? And if so, will this effectively treat obesity?
       That astonishing proposals are made by Cheng Chi Lee, a molecular biologist at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston, Texas, and colleagues.
       The idea comes from the team's discovery that the chemical 5 - adenosine monophosphate, induces a state of torpor in the mice, which are not typically sleeping. Li says that capsule or injection of 5-AMP could cause a similar condition in humans, and the accompanying metabolic changes could help treat a number of conditions associated with obesity, like diabetes, high blood pressure and eating disorders.
       What to make of all this? This is an extraordinary idea, but it must be supported by a good evidences, if it is ever to progress from such a mere suggestion.